Flow regulating irrigating device



' lMiily 19, 1970 .1.. CROWLEY; JR., EVAL FLOW REGULAT ING IRRI GAT ING DEVI CE Filed July 3. 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ./'vvEA/ros. @S50/Jas C. CQowLEY, 1/. *1 f 5 5 IQ Hiv/eey C. @STER i Mac/@fc5 5T. Cil. n//

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May 19, 1970 J, c, CROWLEY, JR EI'AL 3,512,525

FLOW REGULATING IRRIGATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 5, 1967 fvvE/vm/as. 6.

United States Patent O Filed July 3, 1967, Ser. No. 650,912 Int. Cl. A611111 7 02; F16k 31/143 U.S. Cl. 12S-229 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to hygenic equipment, and more specifically concerns regulation of water flow in a side stream from a main flow line, and to an irrigation tip.

Basically, the invention employs a body connectible in water ducting and having a principal passage for passing water in main stream to a principal outlet, as for example a shower head, the body having a side passage communicating with the principal passage for receiving a side stream of the water therefrom, and the side passage terminating at an auxiliary outlet through which the side stream is flowable to an irrigation tip or instrumentality; first valving carried by the -body and movable between a first position blocking the side stream flow to the auxiliary outlet and a second position unblocking the side stream flow; and side stream fiow control means including an orifice element carried by the body and through which the side stream is owable, a plunger element projectingl through the orifice element, one of the elements having variable cross-section along its length, an actuator having a piston surface exposed to the main stream and movable to displace one of the plunger and orifice elements relative to the other to vary the clearance between them, and a spring to yieldably resist actuator displacement tending to reduce such clearance in response to an increase in main stream pressure applied to the actuator piston surface. Typically, the body has thread connections for the ducting at opposite ends of the principal passage, and the ducting includes a shower head terminal. Further a flexible tube typically attached to the body at a nipple defining the auxiliary outlet, the tubing hanging downwardly in a shower stall to the douche tip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION At the present time, equipment used in douche and enema apparatus generally lacks certain unusual features of construction and modes of operation which characterize the recent invention. Among such features are automatic flow control of a side stream of water released at the applicator tip, irrespective of pressure variations in a main stream from which the side stream branches; temperature control of such side stream water at the valve handles of a bath or shower stall; equalization of temperature of the side and main streams, the main stream typically being delivered at a shower nozzle or head; provision for addition of medicaments to the side stream ow; and other features and advantages as will appear.

It is a major object of the invention to provide apparatus of such advantageous construction as will enable realization of the above modes of oper-ation, as well as provide additional results of unusual advantage.

Other objects and advantages include the provision of a dispenser adapted to contain medicament and connected to have an outlet communicating with the flexible tubing upstream of the douche tip; the provision of a body bore receiving the actuator and spring at the side of the main passage opposite the side passage inlet, the plunger pro- 3,512,525 Patented May 19, 1970 ice jecting transversely across a portion of the side passage of a diameter substantially larger than the diameter of the plunger; and the provision of another body passage containing the first valving and defining an axis normal to the plane defined by axes of the main and side passages, in order to facilitate operation of the first (or on-off) valving.

These and other advantages of the invention, as well as the details of illustrative embodiments, will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view of a bath and shower installation lwherein the invention is incorporated;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken through the iiow controller of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section showing an alternate plunger -actuator and spring structure; and

FIG. 4 shows a medicament attachment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. l, the illustrated bath and shower installation includes ducting 10 terminating at a shower head 11. Connected in series with the ducting is the apparatus of the invention indicated generally at 12 and projecing outwardly and generally horizontally from the wall 13 of the stall. The head 11 is directed downwardly toward a bath tub 14 which may be filled from a water spigot 15 4when control lever 16 is turned downwardly, as is conventional. When lever 16 is turned upwardly, water is diverted to the shower head 11. Water temperature and fiow rate are controlled by hot and cold water control knobs 17 and 18. A fiexible tube 19 hangs downwardly from apparatus 12 to terminate at a douche tip 20 in position for convenient use while showering. The water diverted to tip 20 is at substantially the same temperature as that issuing from the shower head, under the control of knobs 17 and 18. Also apparatus 12 includes a so-called first valve 21, operated by the user to-stop or start the water flow through tubing 19 to tip 20, as will be described.

Extending the description to FIG. 2, the equipment 12 is illustrated to include a body 22 having a principal passage 23 defining a first axis 24, and operable to pass water in a main stream to a principal outlet 25. Passage 23 is defined by elongated bore 26, reduced bore 27, and enlarged bore 28. Bore 26 is formed in body section 22a externally threaded at 29 for connection to a fitting in water supply ducting 31 behind the bath stall wall 32, a cap 33 covering the opening 34 in that wall. Body section 22b is internally threaded at 35 for attachment to the ducting gooseneck 10, to which shower head 11 is connected.

The body means 22 also has a side passage 36 communicating with the main passage 23 for receiving a side stream of water from passage 23. Such a side passage may be formed by a depending section 22e of body 22 to have an axis 37 intersecting axis 24 at right angles, axes 24 and 37 together defining a vertical plane. Side passage 36 terminates at an auxiliary outlet 39 through which the side stream is flowable to the tubing 19 and tip 20. Outlet 39 is typically defined by a nipple 40 to which the upper terminal of the hose is removably attached, as shown. Thus, the user may detach the tubing or hose 19 when use of the tip 20 is completed.

The above mentioned first valve 21 typically includes a plunger assembly 42 movable back and forth in another passage 43 in the body section 22e, and between a first position blocking the side stream flow to outlet 39, and a second position unblocking the side stream flow. FIG. 2

illustrates the latter position, wherein a pushbutton 44 connected to the plunger structure has been moved against end face 45 of the body section. When pushbutton 46 is moved leftwardly against end face 47 of structure 22e, the valving is in first position, and a tubular shut-off seal component 42a of the plunger structure blanks the side passage 36. The plunger structure includes pushbutton sleeves 44a and 46a and 48b of a spool 48. The latter has a reduced section 48e past which the side stream flows downwardly in FIG. 2 position. The spool 48 also includes cylindrical sections 48d and 48e, the latter mounting the seal 42a as shown. Passage 43 defines an axis 70 which is normal to the plane defined by axes .24 and 37, whereby the user facing the apparatus 21 from within the bath stall may operate the pushbutton 44 and 46 left and right. FIG. 2 shows axis 70 rotated 90 degrees, for description purposes only.

An important aspect of the invention concerns the provision of side stream flow control means incorporating orifice and plunger elements, an actuator and a spring. Typically of these are the orifice element or insert 50 having press fit within body counter bore 51. The orifice element has a bore 52 coaxial with axis 37and through which the plunger element 53 projects, also coaxially. One of these elements, as for example the plunger, has a variable cross section along its length, indicated at 54, to Vary the size of the clearance between the plunger and orifice bore as the plunger is moved vertically as will be described, for regulating the fiow of side stream water at a substantially constant rate, i.e. between about 0.00082 and 0.0014 cubic feet per second for most desirable usage; however, the apparatus is adapted for other flow rates consistent with irrigation usages.

The flow control means actuator is referenced in FIG. 2 in the form of a piston 56 having Ia piston surface 57 exposed to the main stream flow in passage 23 and movable to displace plunger element 53 relative to the orifice element as described. Also, a spring 58 yieldably resists upward displacement of the actuator piston that tends to reduce the side stream water passing clearance between the plunger section 54 and the orifice |bore 52 in response to an increase in main stream pressure applied to surface 57. Spring 58 may comprise a compression spring confined at one end against internal face 59 of the piston, and at the other end by retainer 60. The actuator piston is movable vertically in a bore 61 found in body section 22d, bore 61 being coaxial with axis 37. An O-ring seal at 62 seals off between the piston and bore 61.

It will be noted that the plunger element 53 projects transversely across the reduced bore section 27 of passage 23, and has a diameter at 65 which is substantially less that the diameter of the bore section 27, whereby the main flow through passage Z3 is not appreciably restricted.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a modified actuator is shown in the form of a cup-shaped diaphragm 70 With a peripheral flange 71 retained Ibetween shoulder 72 on body structure 22jc and shoulder 73 on the cap 74. The diaphragm has a piston surface 75 exposed -to the main stream ow in principal passage 23, and plunger 53 is connected to the diaphragm as in FIG. 2. Coaxial compression spring 76 is retained between the plate 77 attached to the diaphragm and the cap 74, for yieldably resisting pressure induced upward displacement of the diaphragm, as before.

Referring to FIG. 4, a dispenser 80 contains a douche medicament and' is removably connected with nipple 40 and with flexible tubing 19 to have outlet communication with the ilexible tubing upstream of the tip 20. Medicament 81, either solid or liquid, may be added to the dispenser after removal of a cap 82 from an inlet 83. Ports 84 communicate between the interior 85 of the dispenser and the interior of line 86, to allow water to fiow into the dispenser and -to mix with the medicament, after which it is carried out of the dispenser via the lower elevation ports 84. Upper tubular portion 87 of the dispenser body fits over the nipple 40, and lower tubular portion of the dispenser receives the upper terminal of tubing 19.

Referring back to FIG. 2, when the piston actuator is fully downwardly advanced with plunger section 90 in the orifice bore 52, the clearance between the plunger and orifice bore is at a maximum, at which time the water pressure in passage 23 is typically about 8 p.s.i. or lower. As the pressure increases, the plunger retracts upwardly until such time as the plunger section 91 projects in bore 52, at water pressures in passage 23 of about 60 p.s.i. These pressures are typical of what might be encountered in a shower unit; however, other pressures may also be encountered, and the invention does not exclude such other pressures. A small clearance exists when plunger section 91 projects in bore 52 to allow side stream Water flow near desired rate, provided valving 21 is not shut off.

We claim: 1. For connection in water ducting, body means connectible in series with said ducting and having a principal passage for passing water in a main stream to a principal outlet,

said body means having a side passage communicating with said principal passage for receiving a side stream of said water therefrom, said side passage terminating at an auxiliary outlet through which said side stream is fiowable to an irrigation tip,

first valving carried by said body means and movable between a first position blocking said side stream flow to said auxiliary outlet and a second position unblocking said side stream flow,

and side stream flow control means including an orifice element carried by said lbody means upstream of said iirst valving and through which said side stream is flowable, a plunger element projecting through said orifice element, one of said elements having variable cross-section along its width, an actuator having a piston surface exposed to said main stream and movable to displace one of said elements relative to the other element to vary the clearance there between, and a spring to yieldably resist actuator displacement tending to reduce said clearance in response to an increaes in main stream pressure applied to said actuator piston surface, said body means having a bore receiving said actuator and said spring at a side of the principal passage so that a reduced diameter portion of the plunger projecting in open communication with the principal passage extends opposite the side passage inlet, said reduced diameter being substantially less than the diameter of said principal passage proximate said inlet.

2. The combination of claim 1, including said irrigation tip, and flexible tubing interconnecting said auxiliary outlet with said tip for passing said side stream thereto.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a dispenser adapted to contain a medicament and connected to have an outlet communicating with said flexible tubing upstream of said tip.

`4. For connection in water ducting,

body means connectible in series with said ducting and having a principal passage for passing water in a main stream to a principal outlet,

said body means having a side passage communieating with said principal passage for receiving a side stream of said water therefrom, said side passage terminating at an auxiliary outlet through which said side stream is flowable to an irrigation tip,

first valving carried by said body means and movable between a first position blocking said side stream ow to said auxiliary outlet and a second position unblocking said side stream ow,

and side stream ow control means including an orifice element carried by said body means and through which said side stream is owable, a plunger element projecting through said orifice element, one of said elements having variable cross-section along its width, an actuator having a piston surface exposed to said main stream and movable to displace one of said elements relative to the other element to vary the clearance therebetween, and a spring to yieldably resist actuator displacement tending to reduce said clearance in response to an increase in main stream pressure applied to said actuator piston surface, said body means having a bore receiving said actuator and said spring at the side of said main passage opposite the side passage inlet, said plunger element projecting transversely across a portion of said principal passage and having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of said principal passage portion.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said body has thread connections at opposite ends of said principal passage and including said ducting connected with said thread connections, said ducting including a shower head terminal.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said rst valving is downstream of said orifice element.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said principal passage and side passage define rstand second axes deto said plane.

5 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said rst valving is movable in the direction of said third axis and between said rst and second positions.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuator 10 comprises a piston.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a diaphragm.

References Cited 15 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,399,013 12/1921 Fleener 137--505.13 862,867 8/1907 Eggleston 25l6l.1 2,938,216 5/1960 Murray 128--229 20 3,373,744 3/1968 Kendall 137-268 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,842 3/1912 Great Britain.

U.S. C1. X.R. 

